This morning as I sit here and prepare to share some of the most glam and beautiful photos I have ever done, I am struggling personally. Struggling the way most curvier women struggle. The dreaded thoughts that leak into your brain, that you just can’t stop and you know come from a bad place. The “I am the biggest girl in the room” thoughts. Part of why I created Curls and Contours was to work through some of these feelings. As I settle in to the body that I am meant to have and I work to overcome these self conscious thoughts, I have days when its a struggle. What woman wants to be the biggest girl in the room, and what woman wants to have those thoughts. Its fucking ridiculous, its ridiculous that I can have it all but still have these shitty little feelings that come leaking in to my brain. I shouldn’t feel this way, I am fabulous and beautiful, I eat healthy and move my body. I have nothing to prove , I have spent most of my life on a diet of some kind. I have been told that if I just try this or I just only eat that. Then all my skinny girl dreams will come true. WHAT IS THAT. Why can’t I just be happy and love myself, did you know that if you love yourself you will actually make better choices BECAUSE of that love. Sometimes, I forget this sometimes I let that mean hateful girl that hides in the darkest corner of my brain tell me things that just hurt. Eventually I regain my confidence, and regular programming returns. I can go back to my usual fabulous self.

Ok, off the pity party soap box.

THIS DRESS! I found this while cruising through the fall Nordstrom clear the rack sale. I fell in love, and had the wonderful people at Nordstrom Rack order me up one size. Because I am constantly buying clothing that is too big for me, the dress came in and was TOO BIG. So I had it tailored(by my amazing Aunt), and we made some changes. The length of the slip had to go, it was just to much, we took in the waist but left the bosom loose and flowy. I think I need a 1920’s themed party to attend, this little number would be perfect at a wedding or a cocktail party. Once again, the powers of a perfectly tailored dress just doesn’t disappoint.

In a world where everything is made by the thousands and in a factory it is so refreshing to have something homemade just for you. As we set in for the coldest part of winter, you constantly need to have a third layer just to keep some semblance of warmth, a great way to incorporate this is with an infinity scarf. Etsy is a great place to find handmade items and gain access to creators that are just waiting to make something just for you. My friend Sasha has a fantastic little Etsy shop she can crochet basically anything(make sure to check out her shark and mermaid blankets) she made this scarf to order just for me, and I had to share her work with you. We go way back, like Equestrian Team way back, I love that I can share her work and spread the word about a good creative person making beautiful things. 🙂 Its basically one of the best parts about this blogging gig.

Also…THIS OUTFIT! To say I am obsessed would be an understatement. From now on if it has ruffles on the hem, I want it. AND the color, its pretty damn close to cream and you know my thing about cream sweaters.

I plan on wearing this scarf with everything casual, from this sweater and skinnies to some leggings and a tunic. This particular scarf has a slight tinsel in it(which is basically glitter), it adds that little extra something.

Real talk: I have a love hate relationship with this sweater. When I look at it on the hanger, I love it. When I look at it in the mirror I hate it, I have even worn it with other things, seen it on myself in photos and hated it. But for some reason this past Friday, I decided to give it another chance, and you know what? I love it! This sweater just needed the right outfit to really find its true potential. It needed a sturdy flannel, some classic skinny jeans and a bootie. Everything I was wearing it with before wasn’t right, was it the sweaters fault? No, it was mine. I just had to strike the right balance with this cozy cardigan.

So many times I see women with all the right fashion intentions, but no balance. My tried and true formula for obtaining that perfect outfit balance is pretty simple.

Fitted bottom + Fitted Top = Looking heavier than you are *Except when you add a third layer in the form of a jacket or poncho*

I have been growing my blonde out recently because I am obsessed with Pinterest and I always see these amazing blondes that have perfectly rooted blonde, they always ALWAYS look so cool to me. Then I watched the final season of Sex and The City a couple weeks ago, and that ENTIRE season SJP had THE MOST AMAZING GROWN OUT BLONDE. So I went to my hair dresser BFF and asked her if she could help me get this grown out dark roots look. And seriously, this is where I feel like an idiot. She goes, yes I can help you by not highlighting your hair for awhile and you will get this look(ummm…DUH to me, I am so dumb).

Just another totally random thought. I need a new bag, and I really think I am going to hold out for the Louis Vuitton I have been DYING FOR. But its going to be awhile until I can save up all my pennies to get my hands on that Neverfull GM. So until then, I might be on a bag hiatus. Not sure yet, thoughts?

Finally some winter weather! Faux Fur is having a moment this winter, and I am LOVING IT! Scarves, vests, jackets, gloves. This is a cozy trend that is easy to try and so chic.

I am in the market for a new down coat, I love my trusty old down coat, but its OLD like 6 years old, and the zipper is giving out, and its OLD and basically I just want a new one. This one was a gift from my mother, when I started college I needed a LONG down coat to trek across campus in. Now that I am free from College I think I can invest in a new coat.

I got my first Rocksbox in the mail this week! This fun service provides designer jewelry for you to try out. Rocksbox is a membership-based jewelry styling service. Members pay a flat rate of $19/month to get access to a personalized rotating closet of designer jewelry, sent in sets of three at a time.

What I love about Rocksbox, is the beautiful stuff you receive. In my first box I received a Loren Hope bangle, a pair of Gorjana stud earrings, and a Perry Street statement necklace. Each set you receive is selected and curated based on your style profile. You can keep each set for as long or as little as you like, and when you are done with it just send it back. If you love what the stylist sends you just keep it and Rocksbox will bill you at a discounted rate.

I don’t truly consider the holidays over until my tree is down and the last bulb is safely packed away in the basement. The day has finally come and my home has returned to its original state. Curls and Contours can now get back to business.

The Michigan weather has been unseasonably warm, so naturally I have been forgoing a bulky coat and layering up in different ways. This includes but is not limited too, vests, coatigans, and layering sweaters. I LOVE layering sweaters and button down shirts together, I know that it might not be the most flattering look for the curvier girl. BUT I don’t CARE. I love layering and I love sweaters and I love them together.

I have been on the hunt for a beanie type hat that would flatter my very round face. I started the season with zero winter hats, and I now have TWO. I just dream of being one of those Pinterest girls that wear amazing hats and sunglasses all winter. I have found that with my round face and my curls, I need a beanie that fits loose, so I don’t smash my curls, and my face doesn’t puff out under a very tight hat(lol, but seriously).

This whole look just has that something that I really love about winter dressing.

Hey babe, welcome to Curls and Contours. This is the blog for the curvy girl that wants it all, thats me and if you are here then that is you too! In this space you will find lots of glam, lots of black dresses(I have a love affair with black dresses), and lots of inspiration.